In a time when we are questioning everything from GMOs, gluten, hormones, steroids to God knows what else is going into our food, eggs make me feel safe. Why? Because I have my eggs delivered every week by my friend, Rae Turner, who has a certified organic farm. She has free-range, organic, healthy, happy chickens laying gorgeous eggs every single day. When I bring them home the kids love to see how many different colors we get. There are blue, green, brown and sometimes even pink eggs. I get 3 dozen each week and often wish I’d gotten more. I am addicted to them! The yolks are almost blinding, they’re so bright.
FOOD MYTH: Free-Range Organic Eggs are more expensive.
Not true... if you buy your eggs from a local farm (like I do) you will find them to be the same price or cheaper!
Listen, if I had my way (and time of course), I’d hunt all of my own food. Really, I would. Sure, it sucks, and yes I hate the thought of hurting animals, but here’s the thing: you go to restaurants and your order steak, chicken, fish, duck, etc., but do you ever take into consideration what exactly is on your plate? Yeah, it’s not a pleasant thought, is it?? So, that’s why for me, it’s organic free range (or I’m simply having a San Pellegrino or a Vodka on the rocks, hold the lime, because really you can never be sure of those damn pesticides, right!?!) So you get the idea, unless you are a vegetarian/vegan, then you are a contributor to the slaughter house too. Which is why I reach for eggs... the simple solution for me. I eat them at almost every meal. This is a true story, ask anyone who knows me.
What You Can Make With Eggs
Breakfast: My most favorite breakfast is two poached eggs over a bed of steaming jasmine rice. The nutty flavors of the rice with the savory warm yolk running through it is my most desired meal of all time. This, to me, is true comfort food. It’s naturally gluten-free and full of good protein. A win win for me.
Lunch: For lunch consider something simple like a salad - but instead of topping it with meat, use eggs. If I’m pressed for time, I’ll just pop a few boiled eggs in my “lunch box” and know that I have an organic lunch on hand that packs a powerful midday protein punch, as well. Egg salad, soft boiled, hard boiled, veggie omelette's, the options are endless.
Pie: Being from Southern Italy, we really did eat like peasants. Frittatas were a huge staple in our home. Just a big egg pie, if you will. We could add any veggies to it and at times we even shredded potatoes to really make it hearty.....so, so good - just like a scramble and hash mixed together in one pie for simple goodness. In Europe, as most of you know, the chickens are all over the streets, so yep, it’s truly free range! My grandmother would just snatch them up and once we enjoyed the eggs, we later enjoyed the chicken...I know,I know but it’s the truth and hey, it’s organic.
Sauce: Another “gourmet” meal in our home was “eggs in sauce.” We’re Italian so we cook almost everything in sauce. This was just another good one in a long line of deliciousness. We would, of course, eat this over pasta. We even top our pizza’s with eggs!
Soup: As I’ve grown into my own kitchen traditions, I’ve added eggs to a few more of my faves, like leftovers and soups. Just drop an egg or two or five or nineteen into any organic broth to add protein - and it also adds thickness too. So, no need to use those gross flours or thickeners any more, that’s just plain disgusting all together. YUCK!
Meat: When you are being a carnivore and do have those left over meats, beans and veggies in the fridge, add eggs to them and create a whole new meal. For example, “steak and eggs” or shred up that left over chicken or shrimp and make a delicious omelette. Try topping that bad boy with some fresh avocado and chopped scallions and I promise you this will be revolutionary.
Don’t forget how much fun playing with your food is! Or how about putting a spin on decorating eggs with kids? Try herbal tea infused eggs. No more using that horrible toxic dye. These are so much prettier too! Then, when your done with the fun, make yourself a delicious egg salad sandwich, serve them at a party or just admire them, or don’t ... who cares but do you understand now how important eggs are?
So, if I haven’t done a good enough job convincing you to ditch your current love and make eggs your significant other than maybe some of these hard facts will:
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Eggs are all-natural and packed with a number of nutrients. One egg has 13 essential vitamins and minerals in varying amounts, high-quality protein, unsaturated fats and antioxidants, all for 70 calories.
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Eggs' nutrients can help you with weight management, muscle strength, eye health, brain function and having a healthy pregnancy. Particularly important for aiding healthy brain function and pregnancy is choline (pronounced KOH-leen), which is amply present in eggs. It’s true, this website said so.
Eggs: there isn’t much you can’t do with them. In fact, I can’t think of one scenario where eggs don’t apply: bring them to the movies, serve them to guests, package them as a gift, make a romantic meal. This is really an endless list, folks. So, as you see, for me, well I simply can’t live without them.
